The underwater archaeological Late Neolithic site of Pavlopetri, in Laconia is regarded as a human civilization trace that was submerged following earth'stransformation due to geological, tectonic, climatic phenomena that evolved over centuries. Changes that have produced a much wider underwater archaeological reserve, not only in Greek,but also in European (1), and internationalwaters. Pavlopetrihad remained "invisible" at the sea bottom for ages, until modern technology -regarding archaeological research techniques, imprinting facilities, representation methods- evolved enough to provide it due highlight.
The effects of ongoing climate change have provided the stimulus for wider concern regarding the sustainability of the so called «man-made»in general.
In the present study, taking the 'variabilities' symbolized by Pavlopetri as starting points - the variability in Earth, the diversity as a cultural value, the volatility in Time -both in its brief, seasonal periods and in its long term geological change eras- and the nonconformity in the human experience of navigating in an immersed landscape - we introduce their interpretation into determinant parameters guiding decisions regarding the modern man-made.
How can variability be interpreted into design guidelines?
• With structures that avoid irreversible penetration and damage on Earth.
• By translating archetypes of a cultural inheritance past that «has been» and might become again into modern architectural forms.
• With assemblages that can be transformed, so that they can be placed, withdrawn, repositioned in the given field on a seasonal basis.
• And with elements that virtually reshape the ruin and attempt to become receptors of a different way of approaching the cognitive and experiential activity of touring the cultural, historical space.
A plan of interventions was developed that aims at enhancing the "visibility" of the underwater archeological site, for the visitor. A framework of infrastructure and tools that allow the visitor wander around, dive, cruise through the area, to spot the traces of the submerged settlement, and match the archaeological research information about the findings with the visible remnants of ancient fragments. And at the same time we propose a programme that aims at the protection of the submerged archeological site, while at the same time providing for its marking and projection, with a combination of lighting installation and display of the digitized information.
